Join a Conversation on the Mormon Faith at Elmhurst College Next Week

The rich tradition and history of the Mormon faith is part of America’s history and religious landscape, and is central to the life of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his family.

On Thursday, Sept. 20, Elmhurst College will welcome the Chicago leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for a public conversation about the Mormon Church.

Gary Blakely is president of the Chicago stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, one of eight such "stakes" in the greater Chicago area.  He was appointed to the position in October 2005.  Like many Mormons, he was a full-time volunteer missionary as a young adult, and spent two years in Mexico. Blakely also is an operations manager at the Latter-Day Saints Temple in Glenview. He will be joined at Elmhurst by D. Patrick Kitchen, a public relations representative for the Church.

Understanding Mitt Romney’s Faith will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, in the Bryan Room of the Frick Center (190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst, www.elmhurst.edu/campusmap). The event is free. For more information, call the Office of the Chaplain at (630) 617-3025.